“I was stunned by Summit’s decision to recast the role of Victoria for ‘Eclipse,’” Rachelle said in a statement to Access Hollywood.

“I was fully committed to the ‘Twilight’ saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria,” Rachelle continued, explaining the turn of events that led to the casting change. “I turned down several other film opportunities and, in accordance with my contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules. My commitment to ‘Barney’s Version’ is only ten days. Summit picked up my option for ‘Eclipse.’ Although the production schedule for ‘Eclipse’ is over three months long, Summit said they had a conflict during those ten days and would not accommodate me. Given the length of filming for ‘Eclipse,’ never did I fathom I would lose the role over a 10 day overlap. I was happy with my contract with Summit and was fully prepared to continue to honor it. Summit chose simply to recast the part.”

“I am greatly saddened that I will not get to complete my portrayal of Victoria for the ‘Twilight’ audience. This is a story, a theatrical journey and a character that I truly love and about which I am very passionate. I will be forever grateful to the fan support and loyalty I’ve received since being cast for this role, and I am hurt deeply by Summit’s surprising decision to move on without me. I wish the cast and crew of ‘Eclipse’ only the very best,” she said.

Aw...see? Lefevre is not being replaced because of scheduling conflicts. And Summit? They have no comment on the matter.

Oh No! “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" is NOT Going to be Shown to Film Critics! Is it THAT Bad?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 07:58 PMPosted by Manny

So yesterday, I emailed my Paramount contact (who I adore!) to see if there's an advanced screening of "“G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” for film critics. She said:

All screenings are strictly fan screenings. Sorry!

To which I replied:

Is it possible to go to the fan screenings?

And she calmly said: Sorry – not as (sic) this point.

I've never gotten such cold shoulder from Paramount. When they're proud of the film, they will show the movie weeks in advance (case in point: "Star Trek" was shown to critics at least three weeks before the film opened).

So the big question -- is Paramount not proud of "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra?" Is it a bomb like many predicted? Is the rumor that Stephen Sommers was fired from the film true? Is there a hint of truthiness to that?

Sure, fans may enjoy the movie, if they're already predisposed to liking the film. But critics who have no idea who G.I. Joe is may be well, more critical!

I gathered some quotes from the main principals of the film, you can pretty much read between the lines:

Stephen Sommers talking about his supposed "firing:"

It’s complete lies. I have always had final cut of the film. People just make stuff up. You have to really screw up to get fired from a movie. The stigma of that would kill it. This is not the case.’

Channing Tatum who stars as Duke seemed awfully confused:

‘When I was first approached about the role I thought, ‘Aww man, how are you going to make a movie about G.I. Joe in a time of war?’

Then I read the script and it was nothing to do with the military at all. ‘I’m a big supporter of the soldiers and the military and I don’t have a view on the war at all, I’m not a political person.

A military-type film without any semblance of the military? Really? It's like making a "Transformers" movie without the robots isn't it?

And of course, the ever-vocal Sienna Miller, who stars as Ana/Baroness talks about...acting! Yes, acting!

‘You know, GI Joe, it’s not going to be the best acting work we’ve ever done.’

Then, USA Today reported that the buzz surrounding the movie has been brutal, and many fans complaining loudly! Yeah, the same fans who Paramount will court to fall in line for "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" next week.

But perhaps the greatest slap would be a longtime fan NOT even wanting to see the film. Sean, a photographer friend of mine and is an avid fan of the "G.I. Joe" toy line (a big collector!!!), tells me, "the trailer for the movie is not even close to what "G.I. Joe" really is. What I've been seeing are all sci-fi crap. I'm not watching the movie or buy the DVD."

Universal Pictures is incorrectly marketing the new film “Funny People” as an all-out comedy. Billed as the third picture of writer-director Judd Apatow (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up”), the studio would have you believe that “Funny People” is just about well, funny people delivering hilarious one-liners and zingers.

Sure, the film has many inspired uproarious moments, but deep down, “Funny People” is about the true meaning of the most somber subject – death and dying. It’s a theme not meant for jokey references, but Apatow successfully made a movie that is so serious, it’s funny. Read More...

Bryce Dallas Howard is replacing Rachele Lefevre as the character of Victoria in the third installment of the super-popular vampire romance franchise. Howard is joining the cast of "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse."

Lefevre starred as Victoria in the first film "Twilight" and will be appearing in the upcoming sequel "New Moon." Why is the actress leaving the franchise? Summit says...scheduling conflicts.

Really?

"Twilight's" main cast members Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are starring in other movies while working on the series and they've never encountered scheduling conflicts.

And why would Lefevre leave a franchise as big as "Twilight?"

Oh yeah, and why would Summit hire a bigger, and perhaps a more accomplished star, to replace Lefevre?

Just between us, I thought Lefevre's performance in the first movie was a bit off (but I blamed the poor characterization), so maybe Summit is just now catching up?

"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" is set to start shooting in Vancouver in August from director David Slade, and is set for release on June 30, 2010.

Okay, I'm getting tired of "The Wolfman" and I haven't even seen it! I was excited about this film, um, last year, but now, I'll probably just wait for it on DVD, but then, that means a longer wait!

First, the Benicio Del Toro-starrer was supposed to be released Feb. 13 of this year, then was moved to April 3, and then Nov. 6.

Now, Universal Pictures has changed their calendar yet again, and has set "The Wolfman" for Feb. 12, 2010 release date.

But that date is already overcrowded! "The Wolfman" must howl against the romantic comedy "Valentine's Day," "Remember Me" starring "Twilight's" Robert Pattinson, and Disney's 3-D re-release of "Beauty and the Beast."

What's going on with "The Wolfman" and why is the film being bounced around like a red-headed stepchild?

And opening the film in a less-than-stellar month of February is not a good sign. "The Wolfman" is not good enough to be a summer blockbuster? Universal doesn't have faith in the product?

But once in a while, a terrific movie like "Silence of the Lambs" can open in February. But that's once in a while...

Universal also has announced new dates for their other upcoming films. But you know, dates can change a lot in the Universal world so take heed.

*** Robin Hood (it still doesn't have an official title) starring Russell Crowe -- May 14

*** "Get Him to the Greek" -- comedy produced by Judd Apatow starring Russell Brand. Take note, "The A-Team" and "The Karate Kid" films are also opening the same date. This will be a bloody showdown at the box-office.